Microsoft plans two SA data centers, cloud service expansion

Technology titan Microsoft has announced plans to deliver cloud computing services from two new data centers located in South Africa.

Microsoft will deliver cloud services, including Microsoft Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, from data centers located in Johannesburg and Cape Town, with availability expected to be online in 2018.

“We’re excited by the growing demand for cloud services in Africa and their ability to be a catalyst for new economic opportunities,” said Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President, Cloud and Enterprise, in a statement. “With cloud services ranging from intelligent collaboration to predictive analytics, the Microsoft Cloud delivered from Africa will enable developers to build new and innovative apps, customers to transform their businesses, and governments to better serve the needs of their citizens.”

With the introduction of these new cloud regions, Microsoft has now announced 40 regions around the world. Africans “from Cairo to Cape Town” will have improved cloud services access and companies will no longer need to rely on cloud services delivered from outside the continent.

The company says the data centers are part of an expansion in its investments in Africa, where it is supporting innovation applied in health care, agriculture and other spheres. There are currently a half million customers using Microsoft cloud services in Africa, and a billion customers across the globe.

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